I paid a contractor in Dec 2021 with a check, but they still have not cashed the check and it's 2022 already. Can I still include them as an expense for 2021?

I have an single member LLC taxed as an S-corp.

1. I paid a contractor in Dec 2021 with a check ($12,000), but they still have not cashed the check and it's 2022 already. Can I still deduct that payment amount ($12,000) for 2021?
2. In TurboTax Business, it includes the expense as part of the "Other Deductions" line 19 on the 1120-S and it includes another page called "Additional information from your 2021 US Form 1120s: Income Tax Return for S Corp" and labels it as "OUTSIDE SERVICES/INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR" - is that the correct place?
3. For 2021 my S-Corp had a loss and I did not take any money out of the business. I also did not take a "reasonable salary" because the business had no money.  In fact, I had to fund the business with more capital funding from my personal account.  Am I correct in specifying $0 for line 7 (Compensation of officers) and $0 for line 8 (Salaries and Wages) on the 1120-S form? Or is that a red flag for the IRS?

Thank you!